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Transcript/Script((TITLE: TV California Health Coverage For Immigrants – Bagdasaryan
HEAD: California Governor Plans to Extend Healthcare Coverage to Undocumented Immigrants
DATE: 01/20/2022
PUBLISHED AT: 01/20/2022 at 8:10am
BYLINE: Angelina Bagdasaryan
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Los Angeles
VIDEOGRAPHER: Vazgen Varzhabetian
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original, News Agencies TBD
SCRIPT EDITORS: KE1st, MAS, djones
PLATFORMS: TV only
TRT: 3:20
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: Zoom interviews cleared, recorded on personal computer. Source: https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4423))
[[California has a health care problem that’s not unique to the state. Most of the state’s uninsured are undocumented immigrants, according to the non-profit group, California Health Care Foundation. Governor Newsom’s says his solution is simple, but as Anglina Bagdasaryan reports, it’s also controversial. Anna Rice narrates the story.]]
((NARRATION))
The bulk of California’s uninsured population is made up of undocumented immigrants, says the University of California Berkeley Labor Center.
So, Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a budget proposal that would allow all income-eligible residents – regardless of immigration status – to join the state’s healthcare program for low-income people, known as “Medi-Cal.”
State budget analysts predict the plan would extend full-scope coverage to an estimated 700,000 people in California. For some California taxpayers, it is a reasonable step that will contribute to overall heath. But others resent giving taxpayer-funded benefits to people who are not in the country legally.
Human rights activist Lilian Serrano says she knows what it’s like to live without health insurance.
((Lilian Serrano, Universidad Popular Co-Director)) ((Mandatory Zoom))
“I personally went through having to lose a family member unfortunately because her status was ‘undocumented’ and she didn’t have access to preventative healthcare. That could have probably saved her life.”
((NARRATION))
Newsom says the plan is to ensure everyone in the state has healthcare.
((Mandatory courtesy: California Governor Gavin Newsom + YouTube Logo))
((Gavin Newsom, Governor of California))
“Universal healthcare for all, regardless of preexisting conditions, regardless of the ability to pay, regardless of your immigration status. // We believe in this principle, we believe in the right to quality healthcare, we believe we are strengthened as a community.”
((End courtesy))
((NARRATION))
Undocumented Californians under the age of 26 are already eligible to join Medi-Cal with full-scope coverage, and undocumented immigrants 50 and over will become eligible later this year.
Allowing full coverage regardless of age and immigration status would cost the state
((Mandatory courtesy: California Governor Gavin Newsom + YouTube Logo))
$2 billion a year, according to state estimates.
((End courtesy))
((Dulce Garcia, Border Angels)) ((Mandatory Zoom))
“In the pandemic we saw specifically here in San Diego County – half of the deaths were attributed to migrants, to immigrants. And that’s because for so long we haven’t had access to medical care, including our undocumented community.”
((NARRATION))
Reaction to the plan is mixed.
((Johnny, California Resident))
“I’m not about handing people free stuff for the rest of their life, but in this case, with so much death and sickness, it might not be such a bad idea.”
((Anna, California Resident))
“People who didn’t work in this country, came here illegally, violated the law of this country and they will receive medical insurance and other perks? I don’t think it is right.”
((Melissa, California Resident))
“If I have to pay – especially being a healthcare worker – undocumented immigrants should have to pay too. They should go through the system and the proper legal channels, get documented and get insurance the way we have to.”
((Aiden, California Resident))
“I think it’s a wonderful idea, I think a lot of undocumented people bring a lot of wonderful things to our culture and our community.”
((NARRATION))
The budget is expected to take months to finalize. If the healthcare proposal is approved and signed into law, it is expected to take full effect in January 2024.
((For Angelina Bagdasaryan in Los Angeles, Anna Rice, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Los Angeles
BylineAngelina Bagdasaryan
Brand / Language ServiceUS Agency for Global Media
